2 comments about Art of the State: New Mexico (Art of the State).

1. I loved the book. I have lived in N.M. for 27 years and find this book the best short history thru Art I have ever seen. It has everything you would want down to the UFO's.



2. Years ago, when preparing for my three-year 50-state road trip I'd purchased a load of travel guides to help plan what to see in each state, and was fairly satisfied until I stumbled upon my first ART OF STATE book in Iowa. This unique book made all other travel books pale by comparison. Although small and slim the books throughout this series are packed with meaningful information. Beautifully designed and written, they are thoroughly engaging and a joy to read--like finding an ancestor's scrapbook or diary in the attic and reading a fascinating family heritage while viewing images of a buried past. Each author in the ART OF STATE series must be a native or a deliberate transplant, for each state story is lovingly told with a deep appreciation of the state--and not just its good features, but the blemishes, too, described evenhandedly and complemented by photographs of architecture, landscapes paintings, crafts and memorabilia. Each book presents the state's history, climate, landscape, traditions, symbols, recipes, must-see destinations as well as a statewide calendar of events. I've since purchased all the books in the series (20 of the 50 states as of 2008). If your budget won't allow you to buy all 20, at least buy two: one of your home state and one of your adopted state. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover.
   
   I apologize for raving so much about THE ART OF STATE series, but it was such a find for me, like discovering a diamond in a sea of glass. I can't help but gush.
   
   Each book's frontispiece has a wallpaper design: a background color, unique to the state, dotted with a state motif. I've begun playing a game with each new book I purchase in this series trying to guess what the wallpaper motif will be before opening the boo. Sometimes I correctly guess the motif, but rarely the background color. For New Mexico, it's bright red chili peppers dotting a Yucatan yellow background. Sweet.
   
   Now, about the New Mexico edition ... On the dark side, New Mexico served as the hideout for two killers: Billy the Kid and the atom bomb. But that's the only shadow on this sun drenched land. Read about the various Pueblo, Mexican, Spanish and American influences in this state of fabulous landscapes, luscious cuisine, turquoise jewelry, and clay art, architecture and crafts. The vast desert vast terrain and limitless sky not only attracted artists, but aliens, too, in the town of Roswell, where aliens landed and a museum marks the spot. The fabulous land of mountains, deserts, mesas and pine forests attracted writers and artists to Taos and Santa Fe which became celebrated artist colonies, by accident. In the 19th century two traveling artists broke a wagon wheel en route to California and stayed in the glorious state, founding artist societies in each town. Famed New York artist Georgia O'Keeffe spent the second half of her 90 years painting the doom of the New Mexican desert bones, abandoning her typical bold blooms. Writer D.H. Lawrence said: "I think New Mexico is the greatest experience from the outside world that I ever had. It certainly changed me forever. Curious as it may sound New Mexico liberated me from the present era of civilization..." No wonder the state nickname is "Land of Enchantment."

No comments about Day Trip Discoveries: Selected New Mexico Excursions.

No comments about Albuquerque & Santa Fe Map.

No comments about Lonely Planet the Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah (1995 ed.).

No comments about Destinations of the Southwest.

2 comments about Frommer's Portable Los Cabos & Baja.

1. There's a lot of great information packed into this small volume--whether you're looking for outdoor adventures, whale watching, a party scene, or a pampering spa experience. It's clear that the author, Lynne Bairstow, knows Mexico inside and out. Look for the especially informed reviews of Baja's golf courses. The cover alone makes me want to go there!



2. I used the 1999 edition of this book to plan my honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas in June of 2000. Based on the book's stellar review of Solmar Suites, we reserved an ocean view room there for the duration of our two week stay in Cabo.

   We were VERY disappointed with Solmar. While the grounds, pool and restaurant at this hotel were nice, our room was awful. How so?

   -A concrete slab was used in place of a box spring for our bed.
   -There were several cockroaches in our room.
   -There was no refrigerator, as indicated in the room description.
   -Furnishings were very outdated, and unattractive.
   -The drain in our shower didn't work, and kept backing up.
   -Hotel management was unresponsive when we complained, in spite of the fact that we indicated we were there on our honeymoon.
   -While Frommer's said Solmar's fishing fleet was "first rate", we found their boats and equipment to be very outdated.

   The whole experience made me think that someone at Solmar must have given Frommer's a big, fat pay-off in order to get the review they were given. I couldn't think of any other reason this place would have been so highly regarded.

   Ever since then, when I travel, I use FODOR'S travel guides - not FROMMER'S. I've found Fodor's reviews to be right on the money, and if I had taken their advice (staying, perhaps, at the Westin on the corridor), our honeymoon would have been a much nicer experience.

   I hope you find this review helpful. If I can save even one person from the nightmare we experienced, I'll be very pleased.

No comments about North Baja promotes hotels while tourism market slows. (Baja California tries to lure more tourists with new hotels and advertising campaign) (includes ... An article from: San Diego Business Journal.

No comments about New Mexico: Dancing-ground of the sun.

No comments about Riding the Santa Fe Trail: history and drama from new Mexico to Kansas.: An article from: Rider.

No comments about AAA Arizona & New Mexico: Albuquerque, Carlsbad, El Paso, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon Village, Las Cruces, Nogales, Phoenix, Roswell, Santa Fe, Tucson, Yuma, Distance Driving Charts, Petrified Forest National Park Map, Toll Bridge & Ferry Information, (Phoenix International Raceway: AAA State Series 2008, 032008510207).